These are your conceptual designs on steroids. These drawings are detailed— every layer and view of your home with dimensions, notes, specifications, etc.— showing how your home will be built. They serve as a guide for everyone involved in the project, from contractors to inspectors.

What do architectural plans include?

• Site Plan: A bird’s-eye view of your property, showing the outline of your home, including any additions, driveways, setbacks, grade heights, rock walls, stairs, etc.

• Existing Floor Plans: For renovations, these plans show the current layout of the space, helping the designer understand what is and what will be.

• Existing Elevations: Exterior views of the home as it currently stands, showcasing the structure’s appearance before changes.

• Foundation Plan: A detailed drawing of the foundation, including footings, walls, and any structural elements below ground. Don’t mistake this for the structural engineer’s foundation plan. Both are relevant but for different reasons.

• Floor Plans: The layout of each level, including walls, doors, windows, and fixed features like kitchen cabinets.

• Elevations: Exterior views showing what your home will look like from each side.

• Sections: Cross-sectional views that reveal the structure of the building, such as ceiling heights and floor thickness.

• Details: Close-up views of specific components, such as staircases and wall / roof build-up.

• Schedules: Lists specifying materials, finishes, and other important details for construction. This will either be noted on the floor plans or elevations, or on a separate page.

These plans are key to turning your design vision into a real, functional space that meets your expectations and all the necessary building standards. Whether you’re starting fresh or renovating, architectural plans ensure your ideas are captured in detail and can be executed with precision.

Note: Some architects or architectural designers will create Permit Plans that are only suitable for applying for your building permit. Once submitted, they will complete the Construction Plans. 

The reason for this, the permit plans don’t take as long to produce because they don’t need all the detailed construction information on them. However, this will cost more for the homeowner as 2 sets of drawings are produced, but it does save you in time.